Centre for Chemical Biology

Centre for Chemical Biology

Research at the biology-chemistry interface has been a major strength in Leicester for many years. A Centre for Research in Molecular Recognition was established at Leicester in 1988 under the Molecular Recognition Initiative of the then SERC. When this initiative ended, the Leicester Centre was renamed the Biomolecular Sciences Centre; the focus of the Centre was essentially on the biology-chemistry interface, including the structure, kinetics and thermodynamics of biological systems. Continuing 'infrastructure' funding was obtained from BBSRC until 1999, the last renewal providing substantial equipment and staff funding for the establishment of X-ray crystallography in Leicester.

Continuing to recognise major strength in this area, the University established the Centre for Chemical Biology in 2001. A wide range of chemical approaches and ideas are used within the Centre, including molecular structure and modelling, spectroscopy, kinetics and synthesis. Staff within the Centre are drawn mainly from the Departments of Biochemistry and Chemistry.

Fully funded PhD studentships available (commencing in October 2009)

The Leicester Centre for Chemical Biology (CCB) is nationally and internationally renowned for its broad portfolio of research and expertise at the interfaces between chemistry, biology and medicine. Major interdisciplinary research programmes involving life scientists and physical scientists form the major platforms of the Centre. Key areas include cancer chemistry, malaria research and fundamental studies on therapeutically important metalloproteins. The Centre’s interests lie in understanding protein structure and function, cell signalling, and the synthesis of drugs and molecular probes of biological processes.

The following PhD projects available are:

1. The role of iron in regulation of transcription in biology -Prof. Emma Raven.
2. The design of anti-microbial molecular switches – Dr Maxim Ryadnov
3. Unravelling the cell signalling pathways of malaria – Prof. Paul Cullis, Dr Glenn Burley, Prof. Andrew Tobin & Prof. Christian Doerig
4. The development of cycloisomerization reactions for nucleoside synthesis – Dr Dai Davies & Dr Glenn Burley

For further information on these studentships and details on how to apply, please visit our website: www.le.ac.uk/ch.

Please note due to funding restrictions only UK students are eligible to apply. Students must have a good degree (2(i) or above) in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Biochemistry or Biological Sciences. Projects will be filled on a first come first served basis, as suitable applicants arise.